Live Review: Grief Ritual, Calligram, Harrowed, and Worn Out at The Black Heart, London (06/02/25)

Well now, that was pretty damn good, wasn’t it?

A four-band bill of noisy and heavy music, topped by Grief Ritual, who recently released their outstanding debut album, ‘Collapse’ via Church Road Records. A four-band bill that has drawn a sizeable crowd ensuring the Black Heart is a hell of a lot warmer inside than it is outside. Although I am absolutely baffled how a show of this calibre hasn’t sold out.

Especially one that brought Irish hardcore metal mob, Worn Out to British shores. They’re up first, and absolutely chomping at the bit to cause some carnage in the Black Heart, and f**k me, do they deliver. Aside from Grief Ritual, Worn Out was the band I was here to see. No disrespect to Harrowed or Calligram, but I’d never seen Worn Out live and have been following them for a few years now.

I had very high expectations, just go check out last year’s EP, ‘Low’ if you want to understand why, and they did not disappoint. Furiously heavy, but with focused hardcore intensity, they are staggeringly tight live and put many of their peers to shame by not utilising ‘worn out’ hardcore tropes. It’s what makes them special, that metallised edge, and they clearly win a ton of people over here. It’s an awesome 30 minutes and over far too soon, but it will stick in the memory. At least until the next time they come my way.

Anyone with sense knows to use earplugs in the Black Heart, but then, Harrowed and Calligram manage to make enough noise that I had to keep checking to make sure my loops hadn’t slipped out. The former is so impressive, masterfully showcasing that lovable blast of speed and heaviness that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, grind, D-beat, and so much more.

They’re so intense, and they play with such focus, but they’re brilliant. As is the latter, who now have their frontman back even if he’s seated throughout because of his leg injury. Still, it’s great to hear his voice as Calligram with vocals makes all the difference, even if the instrumentals drown him out here and there. It’s a wave of blackened hardcore noise, and I never get sick of hearing it.

Which brings me to Grief Ritual, who deliver an astounding showcase of Collapse and many of the songs from the album. Sounding heavier, more impassioned, and darker, it’s music made to be played in rooms like this and in front of an enamoured crowd. From the moment the title track introduces their set, I can feel my bones moving inside me, and for over half an hour, they shake, rattle, and roll. It would be so simple to say that Grief Ritual are impossibly heavy live, but you already know that. What they are, live, is a truer version of themselves. All their frustrations, anger, and sorrow comes out, and all you can do is stand there (or pit, which many are happy to do), mesmerised and unable to turn away. A night made even more special by guests Rachel Aspe (Cage Fight) and Harry Nott (Burner), who add their own special brand of savage passion to things.

My only complaint is that it was too short. I know this kind of show isn’t about a ‘headliner’ but there is some significant late running which means they don’t actually get on stage until nearly 10:30. Still, what a night. Four of the best, and brightest, absolutely bringing it. This show is going to take some topping this year!